Shipping Agent Job Description

Shipping and Freight Responsibilities

Shipping agents determine the methods of shipping to use and the most efficient routes -- for either clients or their employers. Upon initial contact, you may discuss various options with clients and help them calculate their costs. A number of things are factored into the costs, including postal rates, load sizes and types of cargo to be shipped. Tax rates for items can also vary, which you must also include in the overall cost. You will handling multiple shipments and deliveries each day, so you must keep recipients apprised of delivery times and delays.

Administrative Duties

A shipping agent also has certain administrative duties, such as preparing bills of lading, invoices and other shipping documents. You must also record the products, dimensions and weights of all cargo and times the items shipped. At times, you may also need to trace and recover lost items through a network of manufacturers, warehouses or shipping and receiving departments. As you gain proficiency in your job, you may be required to train assistant agents on operations and procedures.

Work Environment

Most shipping agents work Monday to Friday during the day, but evenings and weekends are not uncommon with larger shipments. You may work in either a warehouse, stockroom or shipping and receiving office. Temperatures can vary depending on the types of products you're shipping or receiving. For example, you may be exposed to cold temperatures when working with refrigerated or frozen goods. Additionally, expect to spend hours on your feet, with some occasional bending and lifting of cases. Shipping agents are also prone to more accidents and injuries than other professionals, according to the BLS.

Education and Training

Most shipping agents have high school degrees or GEDs. Some also take computer software and database management courses, which are necessary on the job. Training is mostly done on the job. You may start out working as an assistant to another shipping agent, performing basic tasks such as weighing packages and organizing stockrooms. Once you can handle the more difficult tasks of routing and calculating shipping costs, you will be on your own as a shipping agent.

Average Salary Ranges

Cargo and freight agents, including shipping agents, earned average annual salaries of $40,680 as of May 2011, according to the BLS. Your earnings may exceed $59,960 per year if you are among the top 10 percent in earnings. You would earn the most working for an agency that handles support activities for water transportation -- $55,030 per year. Your salary at a wholesale electronics firm would be $54,010. And you would make $52,460 per year working for the federal executive branch of the government. The top-paying states for shipping agents were Connecticut, Washington and Oregon - $55,170, $50,490 and $49,530 per year, respectively.